The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?These are some of the moving words of Helen Keller that shaped the Lions to this day. Back when Keller spoke the Lions were a young organization of only 8 years. Lions was founded by Mr. Melvin Jones, a successful businessman from Chicago. He inspired others to become civic minded. At first there were only a few and in only eight years Lions were sought out by Helen Keller. Continuing to grow in 1945 Jones was asked to be a Lions consultant to the United Nations.
Thus, the seed he planted was born as a question. He asked what would happen if those
who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?The answer today is that Lions has grown to be the largest organization of its kind. It is a fertile international garden today comprised of 1.4 million men and women dedicated to social action and community service.
With this great legacy it is very meaningful for me to be recognized by Lions as a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. I hope I am able to live up to the greatness achieved by Melvin Jones.
Thanks to my club for all of their support and especially to Lions Michael and Tammy Hsing who first introduced and later invited us to become members.
